General Appearance:Typically Molossoid, Powerful Bones, Rectangular Structure, Compact, but Harmonic and Proportional. Added to its Massiveness, a Great Agility Can be Seen. Bitches Must show a Well -Defined Femininity, which Differs them Immediately from the Males.

Behavior/Temperament:Courage, Determination, and Outstanding Braveness are part of its Characteristics. The Breed is Docile to its Owners and Family, and are Extremely Tolerant with Children. One of its Characteristics, is its( Ojeriza, or natural Distrust of Strangers. It shows a Calm Dispotion, Self Assurance, and Self Confidence, Not being Disturbed by Stange Noises, or when Facing a new Environment. An Unsurpassed Guardian of the Property, it is also Driven by Instinct, to hunt Large Game, and to Herd Cattle.

Head: The Fila's Head is Heavy and Massive, always proportionate to the body. Seen from above, it Resembles a trapazoidal FIgure, in which the head appears pear -shaped. from the side view, muzzle and skull should have approximately the proportion of one-to-one, or with the first being slightly smaller than the second one.

Skull: The Profile Shows a Smooth Curve From the Occipult which is Well defined and Salient, especially in Puppies. From the Front View the Skull is Wide, and Ample with the Upper Line Slightly Curved. The Lateral Lines Descend Slightly Curved, Almost in a Vertical Line, Narrowing Towards the Muzzle, Never Showing a Stop.

Stop: From a Front View it is Practically Non-Existent. The Medium Furrow Runs up Smoothly Until Approximately the Halfway Mark of the Skull. From a Side View the stop is Low, Sloping, and Virtually Formed by the Very Well - Developed Eyebrow Ridges.

Muzzle:Strong Broad and Deep, Always in Harmony with the Skull. From a Top View it is Full Under the Eyes, Very Slightly Narrowing Toward the Middle of the Muzzle, and Slightly Broadening again Until Reaching the Front Curve. From the Side View the Bridge of the Muzzle is Straight, or has a Roman Nose, but Never in an Ascendant Line. The Muzzle has a Great Depth at the Root, But without Surpassing the Lenght of the Muzzle.

Lips: A Perfect Curve is Formed by the Upper Lips which are Thick and Pendulous, Drooping Over the Lower Lips Giving Shape to the Lower Line of the Muzzle which is Parallel to the Upper Line. The Lebial Rim is Always Apparent.

Nose: Black, Well Developed with Broad Nostrils, Not Occupying Entirely the Maxilla Width.

Eyes:From Medium to Large Sized, Almond Shaped, Spaced Well Apart, From Medium to Deep- set. The Colors are From Dark Chestnut, to Yellow, Always in Harmony with the Coat Color. Due to the Profusion of the Loose skin, Many Individuals Present Drooping Lower Eyelids which is not Considered a Fault as such Detail Increases the Meloncholic Expression, which is Typical of the Breed.

Ears: Pendant, Large, Thick, V-Shaped, Broad at the Base and Tapering at the End with Rounded Tips. They are Inserted at the Posterior Part of the Skull, in Line with the Medium Level of the Eyes When Relaxed. When Roused, the Ears go Above the Original Position. The Ears are Drooping at the Cheeks, or are Folded Back, Allowing the Interior to be Seen.

Teeth: Noticeably Wider, than Long. Very Strong. The Upper Scissors are Broad at the Root, and Sharp at the Edges. Canines are Powerful, and set well - apart. A Scissor Bite is Ideal, but a Level Bite is Acceptable.

Neck: Extraordinarily Strong and Well Muscled Giving the Impression of a Short Neck. It is Slightly Curved on the Top, and Well Detached From the Skull. The Throat is Furnished With Dewlaps.

Body: Strong, Broad, and Deep, Covered by Thick and Loose Skin. The Thorax is Longer than the Abdomen. The Length of the Body is the Same as the Height at the Withers, plus 10 percent when Measured from the point of the Shoulder to the Point of the Buttocks.

Thorax: The Ribs are Well Sprung, Though not Interferring With the position of the Shoulders. The Chest is Deep and Large, Descending to the Level of the Elbows.

Croup: Broad and Long, With an Approximate Angulations of 30 Degrees to the Horizontal Line, Showing a Smooth Curve. It Stands a Little Higher Than the Withers.

Loins: Shorter, and not as Deep as the Thorax, Showing a Seperation of the Two Component Parts. The Lower Part of the Loins is More Developed in the Females. Viewed From Above, the Loins are Narrower than the Thorax and Croup, but Should not Form a Waistline.

Chest: Long and Parallel to the Ground in all its Extension. The Tuck-ups extends in a Slightly Ascending Line, but Never Whippety.

Limbs:

Forequarters:

Forearm: Parallel, Straight to the Pasterns, and with Powerful Bones.

Carpal Joint: Strong and Apparent

Metatarsals (Pastern): Short, and Slightly Sloping

Length of the Leg From Ground to Elbow Should be Equal to the Length from the Elbow to Withers.

Forefeet: Formed by Strong and Well Arched Toes that are Not Too Close Together. Pads are Thick, Broad,and Deep. Correct Position of the Feet is Pointing to the Front.

Hindquarters:

Upper Thigh:Curved Borders Shaped by Muscles Descending from the Ilium and the Ischium which trace the curve of the Rear.

Lower Thigh: Less Heavily Boned than the Forelegs, But Never Light as a Whole

Hocks: Moderately Angulated

Metatarsas: Slightly Bent, Higher than the Metatarsas

Hind Feet: A Little More Oval than the Fore Feet

Tail: Very Wide at the Root, Medium Set, Reaching to the Level of the Hocks, Tapering Rapidly at its end. When the Dog is Alert, the Tail is Raised High, and the Curve at the Extremity is More Accentuated. The Tail Shouild Never Fall Over the Back, or Curl up.

Gait: Fila Has a Long Reach, and Elastic Gait which Reminds one of the Great Cat's Movements. The Main Characteristic of the Breed is the Camel's Pace. Moving two Legs of one side First, Followed by the two Legs of the Other Side.

Color: All Solid Colors are Permitted, Except for the Disqualifying Ones (White, Mouse Gray, Patched, or Dappled Dogs, or Black and Tan). Brindles of any Solid Shade, may have Stripes of Less, or Very Strong Intensity. A Black Mask, May or may Not be Present. In all Permitted Colors, White Markings Should be Limited to the Feet, Chest, and Tip of Tail. White Markings are Not Desirable on any other Part of the Body and should not exceed 1/4 (25%) of the Entire Dog.

These are all examples of Acceptable, and Recognized Colors by the C.B.K.C. / F.C.I. Official Standard:

Size/Weight:

Height at Withers:

Males: ( 26.5 - 30 inches)

Females: ( 25.5 - 28 inches)

Weight:

Males: (120 - 145 lbs.)

Females: ( 95 - 120 lbs.)

General Faults : Cryptorchid or Monorchids, The Use of Arificial Products, or a Dog which has Been Changed in Appearance by Artificial Means. Albino's . Lack of Type.

Disqualifying Faults:

Aggression Towards his Owner

Cowardice

Pink NOse

Overshot Jaw (overbite)

Extremely Undershot, Showing Bottom Teeth when the Mouth is Closed

Lack of Canine or Front Molar, other than 3rd Molar

Blue Eyes (Porcelean Like)

Cropped Ears, or Docked Tail

Croup Lower than Withers

Any Dog that is All White, Mouse Gray, Dappled, Patched, Merle, or Black and Tan

Under Minimum Height

Lack of Loose Skin

Lack of Camel's Pace

Very Serious Faults:

Small Head

Tight Upper Lips

Pronounced Stop from the Front View

Protruding Eyes

Lack of Two Teeth Except the PIS (First Pre Molars)

Lack of Dewlaps

Apathetic or Timid Dogs

Negative Sensitivity When Shooting a Gun

Roach Back

Level Topline

Excessive Tuck Up

CowHocks

Straight Hock (Lack of Angulation at Hindleg)

Light Bones

Lack of Substance

Over Maximum Height

White Markings Exceeding 1/4 of Entire Body

Lack of Pigmentation at Eye Rim

Round Eyes

Sqaure Shaped Frame

Serious Faults:

Short Muzzle

Small Ears

High Set Ears ( When Relaxed)

Excessively Light Colored Eyes

Wrinkles on Skull When Animal is Relaxed

Undershot Bite

Lack of Two Teeth

Folded Skin Under Throat, That is Not Dewlap

Swayback

Narow Croup

Curled Tail, Carried Over Back

Chest Lacking Depth

Deviation of Metatarsas or Metacarsas

Over Angulated Hind Legs

Short Steps

Minor Faults:

Anything in Disagreement With the Above Standard

N.B. Male Animals Should Have 2 Apparently Normal Testicles that Have Fully Descended